History

As The Arc Pikes Peak Region (The Arc PPR) celebrates 68 years of serving the Colorado Springs community, we are grateful for the legacy created by our founders – The Marshall family. The Arc PPR began with Mothers Mutual, an organization founded by Peggy Marshall to support her daughter, Ellen, as well as other moms of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Pioneering Parents

Peggy and other mothers were not content to put their children in an institution or to leave them on the margins of society. Dreaming of a better life for their children, these devoted mothers met at Ellen’s house to pioneer a new life for their children. Peggy, alongside these brave parents, eventually founded The Arc PPR in 1955.

Today, Ellen Marshall is an active member of our community. She continues her mother’s legacy by advocating for herself and others, and by serving as an honorary member of The Arc PPR Board of Directors. Retired from Target, Ellen loves to travel. Ellen leads a full, independent life. Most importantly, Ellen believes the general population benefits from awareness of the abilities of people with IDD. In honor of the positive impact of her life on our community, Ellen is the recipient of the 2020 prestigious President’s award.